Page 58 of Time To Learn

I cringe when I stop in front of the sink where he shagged someone else less than half an hour ago. I gag as the images assault me, peeking up at him. I wave him off when his intense eyes meetmine.

“I’m okay, thanks,” I mumble.

Trish hands me the things I need to wash the ugly taste of vomit away. I gasp when I look at my reflection, even more embarrassed than before.

“Crap,” I whisper. “I’ve got the meanest panda eyesever.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Trish mutters as she hands me some Kleenexes. “After you’ve brushed your teeth, get rid of your make-up. Well, what’s left of it, anyway.”

I nod, trying my best to ignore the very silent, very delicious man next to me as I do as Trish says. It’s not an easy task—my hands are shaking as if I was some junkie waiting for her next fix—and after I’ve fumbled with the cap of the toothpaste for a while, Kristian stills my hands.

“I’ll help you,” he murmurs.

My mouth falls open, and I can’t stop gaping at him as he helpsme.

“I’m sorry,” I mumble.

He shakes his head. “Don’t be.” He flashes a grin at me. “I’ve been where you are now, once or twice.”

I turn to Trish as I feel the touch of her hand on my shoulder.

“Will you be okay for a bit? I’m just going to go and pay for our drinks, and then I’ll beback.”

I nod, grateful.

“Thanks,” I whisper, trying to swallow the lump in my throat.

“Always,” she whispersback.

“Here,” Kristian’s voice pulls my attention back to him, and I take the toothbrush from his hand, careful not to touchhim.

In silence, I brush my teeth, avoiding his intense gaze I can feel burning my cheeks. After I’ve finished, I grab the tissues Trish left at the sink and lean closer to the mirror.

Feeling more steady, I wipe at the smudges underneath my eyes and on my cheeks andneck.

“Ugh,” I mutter. “I look horrid.”

“You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve everseen.”

I blink at his whispered words.

“What?” I gape at his reflection, unable to keep my eyes from his anymore. “Have you gone mental?”

He gives me a small smile.

“It’s true. I promised I’d never lie to you, remember?”

I snort, shaking my head. Turning around to face him, I point at the scar on my cheek. “Have you seenthis?”

He wets his lips as henods.

“Well,” I continue, tossing the tissues in the bin underneath the sink, “then I know for a fact that you’re lying to me already.”

He grits his teeth. “I’mnot.”

“Scars make you ugly, Kristian,” I sigh, overcome with sadness. “They leave you undesirable…the air that surrounds you when you have them leaves you feeling unwanted, unappreciated. People never know how to look at me, without seeing that ugly thing marring my skin, but it is what it is. I’m used to itnow.”

Kristian takes a step closer, invading my space.